Every October, National Kale Day rolls around to remind us that one of the most dependable plants in the garden is also one of the most overlooked. We are big fans of kale here at the Honey House, and not only because it tastes good. Honeybees love it too. When kale matures and goes to seed, it sends up small yellow flowers that bees and other pollinators happily visit. Leaving about a third of your plants to flower gives the bees a little extra forage and improves the chances of the plant reseeding itself. Because kale tolerates pests so well, it is easy to grow without much fuss, and in mild climates it keeps going right through winter.
What makes kale such a garden favorite
Kale is reliable, hardy, and forgiving. You can count on it to show up twice a year, once in spring and again in late summer when you replant. It is a member of the cabbage family and sits close to wild cabbage on the family tree. Most varieties are grown for their edible leaves, though some are planted purely for ornamental color in the landscape. Kale leaves come in shades of green and purple, and unlike cabbage, the central leaves never form a tight head.
Part of what makes kale so fun is the variety. Beyond the range of greens and purples, the leaves come in all sorts of textures: curly, bumpy, flat, feathery, and the frilly ornamental types. Purple kale in particular is striking enough to earn a spot in a decorative border, not just the vegetable patch.
Easy ways to work kale into your meals
Kale first showed up on dinner tables around the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, and it has been earning its keep ever since. The best thing about it is how easily it slips into food you are already making. Toss a few torn leaves into a vegetable stir-fry for extra color and bite. Blend a handful into your morning smoothie, where you genuinely will not taste it. However you choose to use it, kale is one of those greens that quietly makes a dish better.
Crispy Kale Chips
These Kale Chips lean on nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a savory, cheesy flavor that happens to be vegan. They are easy to customize, and once you start snacking on them they tend to disappear fast. We like crumbling them over stir-fries, soups, and salads to add a little crunch and interest.
Kale Salad with Chickpeas
This Kale Salad comes together with quick pickled onions and a honey-forward dressing. It works as a starter or stands on its own as a light meal, and it holds up beautifully for a picnic. What makes it memorable for me is foraging tender baby kale from my best friend Joyce’s garden right before tossing it together. Add whatever toppings you love and make it your own.
Thai Shrimp Stew with Kale
This Thai Shrimp Stew with Kale is hearty, fragrant, and more approachable than it looks. Do not let the ingredient list scare you off. It comes together quickly and tends to impress the whole table. Not a shellfish fan? Swap in chicken or tofu and it is just as satisfying.
Green Smoothie Made with Kale
Dropping a few pieces of kale into your morning green smoothie is one of the easiest ways to sneak in greens. Use the leafy parts and skip the tough center rib, which can turn a smoothie bitter and stringy. A spoonful of our Alfalfa Honey rounds out any tartness from the fruit, and you genuinely will not taste the kale in there.
Want to go deeper on cooking with kale and honey? Tray our Squash Salad and make it with kale. This arugula beet salad is another great salad to try.
Our roundup of healthy honey recipes for meal planning is full of ideas, and our Eastern Shore Honey collection has a varietal for every dish.
We love seeing your photos! If you make any of these kale recipes, snap a picture and share it with us using #beeinspired on Instagram.
FAQs About Cooking and Growing Kale
Is kale easy to grow at home?
Yes. Kale is one of the more forgiving vegetables for home gardens. It tolerates pests well, handles cool weather, and in mild climates it keeps producing through winter. Planting in both spring and late summer gives you two harvests a year.
How do I get rid of the bitterness in kale?
Remove the tough central rib from each leaf before using it, since that part carries much of the bitterness and a stringy texture. Massaging raw kale with a little oil and acid softens the leaves for salads, and a touch of honey in the dressing balances any remaining sharpness.
Which honey pairs best with kale dishes?
A mild varietal like our Alfalfa Honey works well in smoothies and light dressings because it adds sweetness without taking over. For heartier dishes, a bolder honey stands up to kale’s earthy flavor. Browse our Eastern Shore Honey collection to find the right match.
Can I freeze kale for smoothies?
Yes. Wash and dry the leaves, remove the ribs, and freeze the torn pieces flat in a bag. Frozen kale blends right into smoothies and adds a cold, thick texture without watering anything down.
